, NU 131: Nursing and Healthcare I — Exam
V1 Questions and Answers with Rationale
2026/2027 Update
Question 1
A nurse begins caring for a newly admitted patient. Which
action should the nurse perform first?
A. Administer prescribed medications.
B. Complete the nursing assessment.
C. Develop nursing diagnoses.
D. Educate the patient about discharge.
Answer: B. Complete the nursing assessment.
Rationale
Assessment is the first step of the nursing process (ADPIE). The
nurse must collect subjective and objective data before
identifying problems, planning interventions, implementing
care, or evaluating outcomes.
A: Incorrect. Medications should not be given before
assessing the patient unless an emergency exists.
B: Correct.
C: Nursing diagnoses are developed after assessment.
, D: Discharge teaching occurs later in the care process.
Question 2
Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient requesting assistance to the bathroom.
B. Patient with oxygen saturation of 82%.
C. Patient asking for water.
D. Patient waiting for discharge paperwork.
Answer: B.
Rationale
An oxygen saturation of 82% indicates severe hypoxemia and
requires immediate assessment using the ABC (Airway,
Breathing, Circulation) priority framework.
Question 3
A patient says, "I feel like I can't catch my breath." This
statement is:
A. Objective data.
B. Subjective data.
C. A nursing diagnosis.
, D. A medical diagnosis.
Answer: B.
Rationale
Subjective data are symptoms or experiences reported by the
patient and cannot be directly measured.
Question 4
Which ethical principle supports a competent patient's right to
refuse surgery?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Answer: C.
Rationale
Autonomy recognizes the patient's right to make informed
decisions about their healthcare, including the refusal of
treatment.
Question 5
V1 Questions and Answers with Rationale
2026/2027 Update
Question 1
A nurse begins caring for a newly admitted patient. Which
action should the nurse perform first?
A. Administer prescribed medications.
B. Complete the nursing assessment.
C. Develop nursing diagnoses.
D. Educate the patient about discharge.
Answer: B. Complete the nursing assessment.
Rationale
Assessment is the first step of the nursing process (ADPIE). The
nurse must collect subjective and objective data before
identifying problems, planning interventions, implementing
care, or evaluating outcomes.
A: Incorrect. Medications should not be given before
assessing the patient unless an emergency exists.
B: Correct.
C: Nursing diagnoses are developed after assessment.
, D: Discharge teaching occurs later in the care process.
Question 2
Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient requesting assistance to the bathroom.
B. Patient with oxygen saturation of 82%.
C. Patient asking for water.
D. Patient waiting for discharge paperwork.
Answer: B.
Rationale
An oxygen saturation of 82% indicates severe hypoxemia and
requires immediate assessment using the ABC (Airway,
Breathing, Circulation) priority framework.
Question 3
A patient says, "I feel like I can't catch my breath." This
statement is:
A. Objective data.
B. Subjective data.
C. A nursing diagnosis.
, D. A medical diagnosis.
Answer: B.
Rationale
Subjective data are symptoms or experiences reported by the
patient and cannot be directly measured.
Question 4
Which ethical principle supports a competent patient's right to
refuse surgery?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Answer: C.
Rationale
Autonomy recognizes the patient's right to make informed
decisions about their healthcare, including the refusal of
treatment.
Question 5
